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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Star Maps
    Genre:Drama

    Reviewed In Issue 28 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Douglas Spain, Efrain Figueroa, Kandeyce Jorden, Martha Velez, Lysa Flores, Annette Murphy, Robin Thomas, Vincent Chandler & Al Vicente

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 3
    Sound Rating: 3.5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 610485
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $39.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 88
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1997
    (LD Release Date):
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):

    Credits Information
    (Director): Miguel Arteta
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo SR
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Star Maps is a sometimes dark satire about Hollywood and a young Mexican-American who dreams of a better life for himself and his family. Eighteen-year-old Carlos (Douglas Spain) has dreams of becoming an actor, but—to make money—must work for his violent father’s string of Latin boys who sell maps to homes of the rich and famous on Beverly Hills street corners—and who also sell themselves to clients of both sexes.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The picture, matted at 1.85:1, exhibits rich and warm color fidelity throughout, but fleshtones appear slightly oversaturated with reddish-orange hues. Images are generally sharp and detailed with mediocre shadow detail and contrast. Noise is apparent, especially in the darker scenes, but there are no artifacts.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack generally sounds good with a nicely recorded music score that is slightly pulled toward the center. Sound effects are sometimes directionalized. Dialogue is often natural sounding with good spatial integration. Overall the soundtrack is satisfying with occasional aggressive surrounds.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: